THE ATENEO Lady Eagles opened their campaign at the Beach Volleyball tournament of Season 79 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the Sands at Mall of Asia by the Bay.

Veterans Michelle Morente and Kim Gequillana suited up for the Blue and White on the sand, while Ria Lo served as the tandem’s reserve in the Lady Eagles’ opening clash with the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Lady Tigers and the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in their first two matches of the round.

The Lady Eagles fell short of a win in their first match, losing to the duo of Cherry Ann Rondina and Jem Gutierrez from UST Lady Tigresses in two sets at (21-10) and (21-15). With the turf previously dominated by Alyssa Valdez and Bea de Leon in past seasons, signs of jitters and a slow start could be evidence of the team’s phase of rebuilding entering the post-Phenom era without the voice of leadership of the past four years.

The Lady Eagles, however, found their footing and proved their championship caliber in their last match of the day, butting heads with the NU Lady Bulldogs to gain their first victory of the season. Morente and Gequillana meshed well on the sand, putting on a display of on-court chemistry to bounce back with a win in two sets at (26-24) and (21-16).

With the Lady Eagles going into the succeeding days with a 1-1 record, Morente is hopeful about the outcome of the tournament but acknowledges that the pair will need to make certain adjustments on the sand while still keeping a positive disposition.

“With how we played today, we just need to make less errors,” says Morente, “Also, communicate better, be careful with movement on the pitch, read the ball better, and just have fun on the sand and play our game.”